A suspect is in custody after a stabbing near New York City’s Penn Station left six people injured Sunday evening, including one person who suffered serious injuries.
Emergency crews responded at 7:02 p.m. to West 33rd Street and Seventh Avenue after receiving reports that a person had stabbed multiple people near one of the busiest transit hubs in the country. The attack prompted a large emergency response as commuters, travelers and nearby crowds moved through Midtown Manhattan.
The FDNY said six civilians were injured. One victim suffered serious injuries, two sustained moderate injuries and three had minor injuries.
The Emergency Response
First responders quickly moved victims from the scene to nearby hospitals.
According to the FDNY, five patients were transported to Bellevue Hospital, including the seriously injured victim and two people with moderate injuries. A sixth patient with minor injuries was taken to NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Amtrak Police said officers responded to the reported stabbing and took a suspect into custody.
“Earlier this afternoon, Amtrak Police responded to a reported stabbing at New York Penn Station,” Amtrak said in a statement. “The suspect has been apprehended and an investigation is underway.”
The New York Police Department referred questions about the incident to Amtrak Police, which is leading the investigation.
What Authorities Know So Far
The circumstances around the attack remained unclear in the immediate aftermath.
Officials had not released information about a possible motive, whether the victims were targeted or what led to the stabbing. The suspect’s identity had also not been publicly released at the time of the report.
The Associated Press reported that the attack unfolded around 7 p.m. inside Penn Station, and that authorities had not immediately disclosed whether the victims were specifically targeted.
People reported that a knife was recovered and that Amtrak Police said the suspect was in custody.
Penn Station Disrupted During a Busy New York Weekend
The stabbing happened during a particularly crowded period for Midtown Manhattan.
Penn Station sits beneath Madison Square Garden and serves Amtrak, the Long Island Rail Road, NJ Transit and New York City subway lines. Hundreds of thousands of commuters and travelers pass through the transit complex each day.
The incident came as New York prepared for major events nearby, including the Knicks’ NBA Finals run at Madison Square Garden and FIFA World Cup events scheduled in the region.
That timing made the emergency response especially sensitive. Large crowds were already expected in the area, and security concerns around Penn Station and Madison Square Garden were elevated.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani Responds
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he had been briefed on what he called the “horrific stabbing.”
“My heart is with everyone who was injured, their loved ones, and all those shaken by this unacceptable violence,” Mamdani wrote on X. “I’m wishing each of the victims a full and speedy recovery.”
He also thanked Amtrak Police and first responders for acting quickly to apprehend the suspect and provide emergency care.
Mamdani said there were no impacts to Amtrak service and that his administration remained in contact with Amtrak officials as the investigation continued.
Why the Incident Matters
The Penn Station stabbing matters because it happened at one of the most important transportation hubs in the United States.
An attack in that location affects more than the immediate victims. It raises concerns for commuters, tourists, rail passengers, police agencies and city officials responsible for securing a crowded transit system under constant pressure.
The response also highlights the overlapping law enforcement structure at Penn Station. While the NYPD operates throughout New York City, Amtrak Police took the lead because of the station setting and the nature of the incident.
For now, the central questions remain unanswered: who carried out the attack, why it happened and whether the victims were chosen at random.
The stabbing near Penn Station left six people injured and triggered an active investigation led by Amtrak Police.
One victim was seriously hurt, two others suffered moderate injuries and three sustained minor injuries. A suspect is now in custody, but authorities have not yet released a motive or detailed information about the person arrested.
For New York City, the attack adds another layer of concern during an already busy stretch around Madison Square Garden and Midtown Manhattan. For investigators, the priority now is determining what led to the violence and whether any broader threat remains.
